Watercolour Double Dose Watercolour is one of those mediums wherein the artist is more of a magician than a painter; the seemingly simple process of combining paint and water belies the prodigious skill it takes to successfully render forms and ideas on cotton paper. Two such masters of watercolour are Charles Frizzell and Sandi Lear.
W
hile Frizzell is recognized worldwide for his acrylic and oil paintings, he holds a special place in his heart for watercolours. His paintings focus on the vanishing way of life of the old West, and the tools people used in adapting to the land. His mystical images of Native Americans have been collected worldwide, as have his works of fantasy lands and mysterious figures.
light. In 2012, due to her affinity for photography, her partner convinced her to pick up a pencil and draw. In July of that year, she attended ArtEscape in Cairns, a workshop run by Mike Ferris—a celebrated architect and watercolourist. ‘Pride,’ the piece Lear produced as a result, won Best Emerging Artist that year. The experience sparked in Lear a passion, dedication and allconsuming love of the watercolour medium.
The Kentucky native graduated from Murray State University in 1967 with a B.S. in Fine Arts, and headed West soon after. “The western landscape, the indigenous peoples of the West, and the amazing high altitude light inspired a major shift in my imagery, which I continue to follow to this day,” Frizzell says. A member of the International Guild of Realism, Frizzell’s art is collected worldwide, and the list of honours and awards he has received in regional and national exhibitions are extensive.
Lear poetically describes the power of watercolour: “Water with colour—gorgeously organic, lusciously rich, no mixing, blending, matching—just beautiful 100 percent cotton, spritzed with clear, pure water, and stunningly transparent or granulating pure pigment. Allow to melt together, tilt and bend the paper, encourage the magic, add water.”
Australian Sandi Lear started painting five years ago after a lifechanging experience that altered her perception of colour and
Debuting in the US at The Longworth Gallery, Lear’s rapidly growing list of national prizes also includes one of her proudest moments: being awarded “Signature Member of Artists for Conservation,” which is the world’s leading group of artists supporting the environment.
MAIN LEFT: Charles Frizzell standing in front of his painting, Geraniums 18” x 24”l MAIN RIGHT: Sandi Lear standing in front of her painting, Kosciuszko’s Side 22” x 30” TOP: A Winter’s Morn’ in Chimayo. 16” x 20” Charles Frizzell BOTTOM: Solitude. 23” x 16.5” Sandi Lear
Frizzell and Lear will be in Santa Fe on Friday the 29th of September for The Longworth’s Gallery’s “Watercolour Double Dose,” a reception featuring an open wine bar, live music, hors d’oeuvres and, of course, the artists. Additionally, the two watercolour masters will paint side by side at the gallery from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday the 29th, and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday the 30th. “I love making art, and have followed that love throughout my entire life,” Frizzell shares. Lear similarly has a drive to create: “People are constantly telling me how hard it is, and I say, ‘Is it?’ I don’t know how hard it is, nobody told me!”
WATERCOLOUR DOUBLE DOSE EVENT FRIDAY THE 29TH OF SEPTEMBER FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. The Longworth Gallery 530 & 532 Canyon Rd., Santa Fe 505.989.4210 www.TheLongworthGallery.com
A reception featuring an open wine bar, live music, hors d’oeuvres and, of course, the artists. The two watercolour masters will paint side by side at the gallery from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday the 29th, and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday the 30th.